Colourful and creative Basingstoke Festival returns for 2026

Basingstoke Festival 19th June - 5th July

Three Weekends, credit Paul Blakemore

What's On in Hampshire

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Hampshire is ready to welcome you for an unforgettable year of culture, coast and great days out. Whether you love historic cities, family‑friendly attractions or beautiful countryside, you’ll find plenty to Hampshire events to enjoy across the county in every season.

Hampshire Events

2026 is packed full with exciting moments to share, and events to enjoy. This summer the Utilita Bowl near Southampton will host six ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup matches between 13th –20th June 2026, making it one of the county’s biggest sporting events of the year. In Portsmouth, the city celebrates its 100th anniversary, with an host of events and a 100 things to see and do - one of the highlights is the fun and colourful summer of lion sculptures dotted across streets and along the seafront, perfect for families, art lovers and anyone looking for a fresh way to explore - on from the 13th July - 13th September (F). 

For three weekends in June, the streets of Basingstoke town centre will be filled with street theatre, acrobatics, and world-class preformances with the Basingstoke Festival, which celebrates its 15th anniversary - free to visit (F). Whilst in Alton Hampshire head along to the Jane Austen Regency week which runs from 19th - 28th June and includes the chance to  join Jane Austen's family at Chawton House for a Regency picnic. Look to the skies in July, as the Farnborough International Airshow returns with its public open day on the 24th July 26, offering the chance to see aircraft and flying displays, augmented reality and hands-on activities and exhibits, whilst Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey, celebrates the 25th anniversary of the beautiful Hydrangea Walk bringing vibrant mid‑to late‑summer colour to woodland paths lined with mature camellias, flourishing hydrangeas and elegant viburnums.

From scenic coastline and vibrant events, to cosy villages, walking trails and great places to eat, Hampshire is the ideal spot for a short break or longer escape. Start planning your 2026 adventure today and make sure you don't miss some of Hampshire top events within your plans.

Spa Day at Hilton Southampton Utilita Bowl

What's on in the Hampshire in May, June and July?

Grab your calendar and take a look at what's happening in Hampshire over the up-coming months with our featured events list or scroll to the bottom and discover hundreds of events happening today, this weekend and across this year.

What's on in Hampshire today?

To find out what's on in Hampshire today or this weekend use the 'what's on search box' above to narrow down your required date. Families on a budget can look out for the many free events (F) taking place, you'll also find plenty of fun activities for kids to do whether it's during the holidays or on a weekend break. 

Staying overnight?

If you're travelling from outside the area for an event in Hampshire, there are numerous hotels and other accommodation options to suit your needs.

>>> Search & Book Hampshire Accommodation

Hampshire events near me

The guide below shows our calendar of events in Hampshire. Whether you're looking for What's on this weekend or further ahead, whether you're local or visiting the area for the first time, find what's happening near you by clicking the 'Map View' button. Some of the events below are on the Isle of Wight, as it's easy to hop over on the hovercraft or ferry from Portsmouth or Lymington to the island. 

What's on in Hampshire

Number of results:

Number of results: 177

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Newport Main Carnival

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    Newport

    Newport Main Carnival on the Isle of Wight Carnival fever comes to the island's capital town, various locations around Newport.

    Carnival route To view the carnival route map, please visit the carnival website.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2026
  2. Ryde Carnival Illuminated Procession

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    Ryde

    Ryde Illuminated Carnival on the Isle of Wight The very last carnival of the summer, Ryde Carnival's illuminated procession is a fabulous spectacle of light and music that rounds the Isle of Wight carnival season off in style.

    Carnival route …

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026
  3. Meet the Dinosaurs: Trail & Show

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Farnham

    If you're truly dino-mad! … join us for interactive Dinosaur Shows running for nine days throughout May half-term
    How to Train your Dinosaur!
    Come and learn the art of dinosaur training with the help of the mischievous cheeky T.Rex called Baxter who…

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026
  4. £10 Sunday Roasts

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Whiteley, Fareham


    £10 Sunday Roasts

    Available every Sunday from 4th January at The Parsons Collar Pub
    Celebrate Sunday with a tasty £10 treat!
    When they are gone they are gone!
    Book - lodge@solenthotel.co.uk

    Dates

    From:
    4 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 12:30
  5. Great South Run Weekend

    Type

    Type:

    Run / Rally

    Portsmouth

    The world's premier 10-mile event returns to Southsea in October 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2026to18 Oct 2026
  6. Jazz Sunday Lunch

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Fareham

    Created by our dedicated team of chefs, our Sunday lunch is a firm favourite for any celebration, occasion or treat. Join us for a delicious lunch and enjoy the background sounds of The Swing Rhythms Trio.

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026Open 12:30 - 14:30
    From:
    2 Aug 2026Open 12:30 - 14:30
  7. Isle of Wight Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Newport

    The award winning Isle of Wight Festival is steeped in history and famed for mixing iconic legendary artists with the hottest up and coming acts.

    Dates

    From:
    18 June 2026to21 June 2026
  8. Southampton Summer Sessions

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Southampton

    Southampton Summer Sessions 2026 returns to Guildhall Square in June 2026, transforming the city’s Cultural Quarter into a vibrant open-air concert venue. Across several nights from 12–27 June, the series brings together a diverse line-up of…

    Dates

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    12 June 2026
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    13 June 2026
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    14 June 2026
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    18 June 2026
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    19 June 2026
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    20 June 2026
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    21 June 2026
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    23 June 2026
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    26 June 2026
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    27 June 2026
  9. Big Wild Weekend

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Sarson Lane, Andover

    Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 August

    10am-5:30pm

    Calling all minibeast detectives, plant enthusiasts and nature lovers of all ages – the Hawk Conservancy Trust are going wild!
    Head to the Hawk Conservancy Trust's Big Wild Weekend – a festival of British…

    Dates

    From:
    8 Aug 2026to9 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 17:30
  10. Simply Land Rover

    Type

    Type:

    Run / Rally

    New Forest

    We are delighted to announce the return of Simply Land Rover on Sunday 5 July 2026.

    All Land Rover owners are invited to drive into Beaulieu and park up within the museum complex for a superb day out for both owners and enthusiasts.

    Dates

    From:
    5 July 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  11. The Paint Club painting party at The Spur

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Bordon

    About the Event
    Everything You Need to Paint a Masterpiece

    Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting! One of our friendly artists will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art.

    Each artist…

    Dates

    From:
    3 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    1 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    5 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  12. Wickham Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Fareham

    Wickham Festival is a 4-day music & arts festival held every August in a stunningly beautiful rural location near the historic village of Wickham in Hampshire.

    Dates

    From:
    30 July 2026to2 Aug 2026
  13. Steam to the Solent and see four cruise ships depart

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Southampton

    Steam down Southampton Water to the Solent, passing the cruise ships Iona, MSC Virtuosa, Sky Princess, Ventura in berth, and on your return see a number of the ships depart - always the chance to sound our whistle and play the ‘Shieldhall Organ’!…

    Dates

    From:
    8 Aug 2026Open 15:30 - 19:00
  14. Houghton Lodge House Tours

    Type

    Type:

    Tour

    Stockbridge

    Enjoy a guided house tour of one the finest and earliest surviving example of a Cottage Ornée – Houghton Lodge - a genre of ‘picturesque’ Gothic architecture that flourished for about 25 years from 1790.

    Venue

    Houghton Lodge Gardens, Test Valley

    Dates

    From:
    25 June 2026
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    28 June 2026
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    26 July 2026
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    2 Aug 2026
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    9 Aug 2026
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    10 Aug 2026to13 Aug 2026
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    31 Aug 2026
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    6 Sept 2026
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    20 Sept 2026
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    4 Oct 2026
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    11 Oct 2026
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    18 Oct 2026
  15. Steamship Shieldhall Eastern Solent Cruise

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Southampton

    The Palmerston Forts built around Britain in the second half of the 19th century represent the country’s largest ever defensive building program in peacetime. Ranging from small gun positions and bunkers to huge walled forts several acres in size,…

    Dates

    From:
    7 June 2026Open 11:00 - 18:00
  16. Newport Illuminated Carnival

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    Newport

    Newport Illuminated Carnival on the Isle of Wight Join in the carnival fun with Newport's Illuminated procession!

    Carnival route To view the carnival route map, please visit the carnival website.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Aug 2026
  17. BattleZone Apocalypse Laser Tag with New Forest Activities

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Beaulieu

    The New Forest Activities favourite BattleZone just got a whole lot scarier! Paint the battlefield dead as your ghoulsome troops creep up on the enemy, using infra-red technology guns to spook your way to victory.

    Venue

    New Forest Activities, New Forest

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 14:30 - 16:30
  18. Round the Island Race Sailing

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Southampton

    Spend a leisurely day on the Solent, enjoying the spectacle of the Round the Island Yacht Race from the great viewing platform of the Shieldhall! The race regularly attracts over 1,700 boats and around 16,000 sailors, making it one of the largest…

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  19. Painting party with The Paint Club at Dark Arts Bar

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Southampton

    About the Event
    Everything You Need to Paint a Masterpiece

    Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting! One of our friendly artists will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art.

    Each artist…

    Dates

    From:
    24 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    22 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    26 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  20. International Vulture Awareness Day

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Sarson Lane, Andover

    Saturday September 5

    10:00am-5:30pm

    The first Saturday in September each year is International Vulture Awareness Day.
    At the Hawk Conservancy Trust, they love vultures, so every day is vulture awareness day! If you would like to celebrate these…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:30